The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-27

scientinc discovery, or q discovery is
In process Of formation in his ever
active brain. But he is not always
absent minded, for in his social and
business intercourse he is one of the
most agreeable Of gentlemen, and his
conversation is singularly fascinat-
ing.
We of the great world are not
strictly speaking a scientific people.
We are SLOW to recognize our great
thinkers on every subject, unless the
results OF their endeavers are put
before us in the most popular man
ner. Every one know, or ought to
know, that the most eminent of our
poets, scientists, inventors and
thinkers were first brought to the
attention Of the world by other peo-
pie than ourselves. We are so busy
in the rush after the almighty dollar
that we are inclined to undervalue
the work of men who have come
from our midst. 1t is doubtless to
our discredit, but it is nevertheless
true that We do not appreciate our
truly great men until their names
have been echoed to us from across
the sea. Things we value least in
this great country of ours are most
thought of on the other side of the
herring pond. We are nothing if
not practical, and we put the dis
covered truth to some practical use,
though. we are apt to forget its pro-
iector in thinking of the results.
But we are on the right road after
all. The characteristic American
question us there any money in it2"
touches the keynote of the cause of
our wonderful progress. A great
rule discovered is much in itself, but
the results of it are greater.
Spencer T. Baird is one of the
men who have made the name of the
Republic in the scientific circles Of
the old world, but he has, perhaps,
done a greater work in his own coun-
try in popularizing science. His
nsms and his works are known in
every scientific society the world
over. He is a native of Pennsylva-
MIA and claims the beautiful little
city of Carlisle. that slumbers so
peacefully in the matchless Cumber-
land Valley, as his home. In 1916 |
he graduated from Dickinson Col
lege, as did also his elder brother, |
William. The two boys inherited |
from their father a love OF nature
and out of door pursuits, and as ear
ly as 1896 they had made collection
of the game birds of Cumberland
county. In the museum some of
these specimens, mounted forty years
ago, are still preserved. The inner
itance of love of nature and taste
for the study of natural history was
encouraged by the mother, and for
five years succeeding his graduation
the young naturalist was left to his
own devices and plans instead Of
being pushed at once into
profession. When but Is years
of age he made a pedestrian excur-
sion through the mountains of
Pennsylvania, walking 400 miles in
twenty-one days, making the last day
sixty miles between daylight and
rest. He has all his life been great
walker, and in all his expeditions he
has never ridden horse. Until a
few years, ago, every summer found
him among the trees, or at the sea-
shore, or on the rivers and creeks.
For forty years he has been tireless
collector of natural history speci-
meLs, and he turns it all over to the
institute. One of his rules is that
no officer or employe Of the institu-
ton shall make private collection.
For short time he was professor of
natural sciences at Dickinson Col
lege, and here he taught the seniors
in physiology, the sophomores geom-
etry and the freshmen in geology.
He found time, however, to carry on
the work begun in previous years,
and during vacation he made ex-
tended tours. One year he walked
over 1900 miles. On leaving home
he came to Washington to live, and
since 1850, or nearly 81 years, he has
been connected with the Smithsonian
Institute. For the last nine years,
UT bluCe Juo utdbu vi EOl. Luxury III
1878, he has had entire executive
control of the wonderful establish
ment. He has seen it grow from a
few small boxes of specimens, to its
present splendid proportions and in
its building up he has had always
prominent part.
But we must go down to the Pro-
fessor's workshop. You will find it
in the basement, and truly it is a
busy place. There is not much fur
niture in the room, but it is all in use
by the busy occupant. Here are
a couple of clerks and stenographer,
and scattered round about, yet in
perfect order, are books and maps
and drawings and castings and mod
els of every description. The Pro-
lessor is great worker and he uti-
Lies every moment of the day, He
arises at Z o'clock and by s O. clock he
has had his breakfast and
is at his desk. For five hours